The Sean McDermott Tire-Kicking
January 29th, 2026
What’s the plan?
Joe was actually wrestling in bed last night, thinking about why the Bucs showed interest in former Buffalo coach and long-time NFL defensive guy Sean McDermott.
Yesterday it was learned that the Bucs reached out to McDermott to gauge his interest in joining the Bucs’ staff in an unspecified role.
Joe has to believe Bucs coach Todd Bowles was on board with this. Joe’s pretty sure Bowles, as most head coaches do, has the final say on his coaches. And it just seems wild to think Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht might try something like this behind Bowles’ back.
That would be the height of meddling.
Previously, when it was learned Bowles was coming back for the 2026 season, he let Greg Auman of FOX Sports know that he would retain play-calling duties on defense. Did something change in the past week or two? Or did the Bucs just want to bring McDermott in as a consultant or “analyst,” where he sits with the general manager on gamedays, drinks free Coke Zeros, and then tells Bowles and Licht what’s wrong with the team?
And if the Bucs were interested in bringing in McDermott, would they not be interested in lassoing a top-shelf defensive mind like Jim Schwartz if McDermott wants to take a year off?
If not, why not? Apparently, someone, including Bowles, thinks he needs a veteran defensive guy to help or they wouldn’t have approached McDermott in the first place. And watching the Bucs defense, yeah, there are problems.
The trick here is, McDermott and Schwartz are 4-3 defensive guys. Bowles is 3-4 through and through. Are the Bucs thinking about flipping to a 43 defense?
If you think about it, outside of Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, the entire front seven needs an overhaul. Yes, bring back YaYa Diaby. He’s a nice defensive end/outside linebacker. Not great, but he’s solid.
So if the Bucs were to flip to a 43 defense this would be the time to do it. The Bucs have a bunch of holes on the first two levels of the defense. So it shouldn’t be much of a problem to go to a 43. And if the Bucs did head in that direction, it seems unlikely Bowles would be calling the shots on the defense.
This is all very interesting to Joe.
January 29th, 2026 at 4:35 am
Joe, when does wishful thinking become reality? Or is this just window dressing to divert our attention and keep us on the hope train; thinking that our D will be different next season? I mean, what top-notch defensive mind would want to play second fiddle to a sub par HC?
January 29th, 2026 at 4:40 am
Oh wow, didn’t see this coming either. I am not a huge fan of McDermott, but after learning more and more after his firing, he got a raw deal from the Bills. They kept the GM which is baffling to me. And now putting Joe Brady in the HC role is even more a slap in McDermott’s face and the fans. He seemed to have the locker room and fans, including Bills Mafia.
McDermott and/or Schwartz would be dynamic coming in as part of the defense team in some way and working with Todd. Defensive wonderland. Come on down! And the rumor is that Schwartz isn’t happy where he is right now.
January 29th, 2026 at 4:42 am
Joe, when you are wrestling in bed. The buccaneers should be the last thing on your mind. I applaud your dedication.
January 29th, 2026 at 4:44 am
Nickel is the new base defense. Its usage league wide has steadily increased the last 10-12 years. It’s more or less used two-thirds of the time around on average league wide.
That 3rd CB is used a lot more often and with the way the game is played offensively, a little more valuable than a 3rd stand up ILB.
Will & Sam Backers don’t even exist anymore, they’re all “OLBs”/“Edge” now.
Jacob Parrish, playing mostly Nickel and floating at outside CB, 76% of the defensive snaps.
3-4 vs 4-3, they’re both hybridized and used less as base alignment now than at any time since being introduced to the game.
I believe if we were to bring in a DC, it’d have to be someone who’s defensive ideals line up with Bowles scheme and that holds more weight than, how they line guys up. More to do with what do they want from the whole unit.
I’d be all for Bowles giving up calls, to focus more on overseeing the bigger picture. Doubt we land McDermott though, but I’ve said before I wouldn’t be mad with Morris IF he brings Nate Ollie, who is still very, very unemployed.
If you like throwing blitzes, have a plan in place to improve our front 7, close up the middle of the field in the pass game and/or squeeze the potential out of our younger DBs, you’re a candidate if we’re looking.
January 29th, 2026 at 4:46 am
We need a D line coach, and 2 secondary coaches. Doubt either coach would want any of those jobs. Maybe McDermott was asked about some of his assistants?
January 29th, 2026 at 4:48 am
something sounds off here…because with bowles staying, and having the rep of a defensive guru, his defense is going to remain the same…
to scrap the entire defense and switch it up, wouldn’t at that point you have also just scrapped bowles, with the semi-house cleaning that took place ?
i must admit, at this point, i’m one bewildered bucs fan…but i’m going with the flow
January 29th, 2026 at 4:49 am
^^^
yes this is true joe, your wrasting in bed is TMI
January 29th, 2026 at 4:51 am
“Wrestling in bed”?!!?
We thought that’s what guys say when our little ones walk in on us.
How far has Joe fallen from the days of his dreams about Rachel Watson!
January 29th, 2026 at 4:57 am
can you imagine if we had a front 4 or 7 like we had back in the sapp days, or during the shaq, jpp, suh days…
especially during the sapp era…
bowles is able to scheme up and manifest them to basically
45 -50 sacks a year with no real dudes…
give bowles a bunch of freakin’ real dudes up front, and if he really wanted, he could probably bring that number waaaay up…
maybe the team should really buy, build, draft and stack the front to where they’re like the old ny jets sack exchange of the 80’s or something…
turn 45-50 sacks per year into a beastly 70-75…
could you imagine our bucs just eating quarterbacks like its 1985…
how wild would that be…
i’m sure bowles at some point imagined 75 sacks in a season, and having the horses to actually git err dun
January 29th, 2026 at 5:16 am
They better make a decision and soon. The clock is ticking on JL and TB prove it year. A lot of improvement needs to happen, no excuses accepted. The NFL is a production league, just ask McDermott.
January 29th, 2026 at 5:38 am
Here we go again getting ya’ll excited about a Mc Daniel’s, oops Mc Derm. Stop it Joe 🤣🤣🤣🤣 let me guess Greg A.has source in one Bucs? Stop it. That
Stubborn HC is a guru 😏he’s is not bringing in another mind.🤙🏾
January 29th, 2026 at 5:42 am
adam from ny – Liking the thinking outside of the box!
January 29th, 2026 at 5:52 am
I’m a 4-3 guy and suggested this at end of season. The D has so many holes that it’s an opportunity to bring in a DC that can change the scheme to revitalize the D. Would be able to bring in all the new pieces and let Bowles step back and be HC. The roster on D needs to be turned over anyway.
January 29th, 2026 at 5:54 am
BTW – Joe, not sure I’ d start an article with, “ I was wrestling in bed …”. Just thought.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:08 am
Did the thought ever pop into our heads that maybe Todd is desperate?
While I genuinely believe this to be the case, I do give him credit for seeking a second pair of eyes.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:20 am
Why is everyone assuming that Todd Bowles knew anything at all about this? For all we know, the second McDermott became available, the Bucs might have thought … “maybe we should replace Bowles …” but when McDermott said he wanted to take the year off, they spun it to some vague, no title interview.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:22 am
How donu inherit a SB team and get worse every year…
Unwilling to adjust EVER
RUNS A OLD DEFENSE THAT THER ENTIRE LEAGUE HAS FIGURED OUT..
Obviously Tampa is were teams come to pad there stats on a defense that’s definitely the punch line in jokes around the nfl..
4-13 next season..like everyone else cant wait for 2027….this falls on ownership
January 29th, 2026 at 6:28 am
“”The NFL is a production league, just ask McDermott.””
Very true but it does not apply to Todd Bowles. He gets a free pass.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:37 am
With the hiring of an OC that should stabilize the offensive site of the game, does it not put pressure on the HC/DC to strengthen his side of expertise? The HC/DC is in panic mode and searching for solutions is his way to save his career for one more year!
January 29th, 2026 at 6:47 am
I really think that anyone noteworthy is not going to want to attach their name to this defense.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:57 am
Any change would bring hope to the fans. 4 – 3 preferably.
January 29th, 2026 at 7:00 am
Bringing in a DC would defeat the purpose of keeping Bowles. If he doesn’t call the defensive plays during the games and coach the defense during the week, then what would he do? What else is Bowles “good” at?
If the Bucs bring in a DC then that means they have a new HC. Fear not though, the new coaches are coming in 2027.
January 29th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Here is hoping that Joe was wrestling with 2 Panther cheerleaders.
January 29th, 2026 at 7:33 am
Joe the one thing you mentioned that many don’t realize is, the Bucs need defensive players especially on the defensive front. Logan Hall? After Vea and Cancey there’s not much more. The secondary looks good just need coaching
January 29th, 2026 at 7:51 am
No need in wrestling in bed wondering about all things Bucs 😆
The answer to every question about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can be found on the website
JoeBucsFan.com
🏈😉😆
January 29th, 2026 at 8:01 am
As long as Todd is running the D, we’re going to need to score +27 every game (on average) just to give ourselves a chance to win. Keep loading up on O. Improve the OL depth, look to upgrades at TE and RB. Figured out what 13 and 14 can give you—and keep adding to the stable.
Any OLB we get will be dropping into coverage. Same with the interior DL. The ILBs will be the ringleaders for communication issues and wide open seam/flats. The players can change, but the major schematic issues won’t.
January 29th, 2026 at 8:08 am
@ Evo & Lou. –
Omg you guys are killing me with these comments 😆🤣
January 29th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Gotta say Joe, when you wrestle in bed your mind runs amok. McDermott as a ‘consultant’ telling ‘Bowles and Licht what’s wrong with the team’. Hmmm. Or JL trying ‘something like this behind Bowles’ back’? Sure. My favorite though … ‘the Bucs thinking about flipping to a 43 defense’.
McDermott’s only 51 and has coached in the NFL since 1999. He’s surely made a ton of money, and probably really would like a year off to just chill. And maybe even spend some time with his family? Can’t blame the Bucs for trying, but I’m sure that he’s had lots of calls since his gig in Buffalo ended.
The real meat here is the Bucs switching back to a 4-3 defense, which just happens to be what we used for our first 43 years, until Todd came along. But I’ve become a believer that TB doesn’t really run a 3-4 defense; his is a hybrid that changes on close to every play. Most quality veterans (like Suh, JPP, Shaq) can probably master its’ idiosyncrasies and make it work (and quite well). But I pity the poor youngsters who have to start their careers in this defense.
Like you said Joe … ‘outside of Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, the entire front seven needs an overhaul’. I am glad though that you agreed to keep YaYa. I think he’d do fine as a 4-3 DE (about the same size as JPP).
January 29th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Maybe Todd realizes his defense sucks.
January 29th, 2026 at 8:46 am
They were lining up in a 4-3 more often in the last couple of games. May they were already considering the change.
January 29th, 2026 at 8:50 am
It is sounding more and more like the Glazers are pulling out some money to get this team stronger than ever. And its good that maybe Todd is able to reach out to defensive gurus in order to help him out. It’s all positive.
January 29th, 2026 at 8:52 am
Simple fire Bowzo and hire him as HC. Problem solved.
January 29th, 2026 at 8:53 am
I think your all silly. I think Todd is ready to retire to the front office, he wants someone to step in and get ready to take over, surely this was his hope with the traitor in Duval County. I truly believe he wants to get things lined up for retirement from coaching. He’s tired and realized he is a ceiling stopping this team from greater heights. But also refuses to step down without certainty in the teams future. Kudos to him for this. Maybe this year will be better.
January 29th, 2026 at 9:09 am
HC GROVER is spot on.
January 29th, 2026 at 9:12 am
man oh man…can bowles get us his regular like say 47 sacks this upcoming year…
and bring some horses in up front, where he can just squeak out one more measly sack per game for the year…
that would put us at like 65-ish for the year…!!
and that’s tinkering with some of the best team sack numbers in nfl history…even 70 shouldn’t be out of the question…
let’s ask mr. mcdermott…oh wait, maybe he’s busy wrastling his time away like joe…or shall we now call him big joe now…haha
January 29th, 2026 at 9:14 am
If it’s a Brian Flores type of 4-3 defense then sure. But if it’s a Tampa 2.. we’re good.
January 29th, 2026 at 9:17 am
typing & tugging = multi-tasking 🙂
January 29th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Teams don’t offer veteran coaches jobs just for s(p)its and giggles. The trick here is, what job?
The breadcrumbs suggest a change in the defense *could* be coming. Bowles is interviewing defensive line coaching candidates. The Bucs have a bunch of holes in the front-seven. Logan Hall is a free agent (the team has a different opinion on Hall than most fans do).
As Joe pointed out, *if* the Bucs were to flip to a new defense, this would be the time to do it since the Bucs have to fill so many holes in the front-seven. Throw in the fact McDermott is a 43 guy … makes one wonder what exactly is up.
January 29th, 2026 at 9:27 am
Maybe the inquiry had to do with some defensive free agents…..
A.J. Epenesa?
January 29th, 2026 at 9:52 am
BucFever77 – You may be onto something. Could be. Todd will be 63 next year and could easily be on the road to retirement with the NFL benefits too. Think he has been coaching and coordinator for around 25 years. Good guy.
January 29th, 2026 at 9:58 am
Keeping IBS employed as Bucs HC/DC keeps the Bucs among the bottom dwelling teams in the NFL… Watching the quality playoff games was an indictment of how bad and how FAR OFF the Bucs are from being counted among the top teams!
January 29th, 2026 at 10:01 am
“They were lining up in a 4-3 more often in the last couple of games. May they were already considering the change.”
We line up in 3/4/5-man fronts all the time, that’s we disguise the OLB drop
“If it’s a Brian Flores type of 4-3 defense then sure. But if it’s a Tampa 2.. we’re good.”
Flores runs a 3-4, that turns to a 4-2-5 just like our defense does in pass scenarios
January 29th, 2026 at 10:05 am
Hire Schwartz, change back to the 4-3, get some real FA DEs. Better FA ILBs . A shutdown corner. Done.
January 29th, 2026 at 10:06 am
43 defense would be great and i think we have the players up front to do it now and be successful….
imo, braswell would be better as a 43 end vs an OLB where he has to sink and drop into coverage…
aint happening tho…bowles rather fall on his sword vs winning games
GO BUCS!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 10:08 am
We hired former Bills DL coach Marcus West, and not Nate Ollie yet(?)
January 29th, 2026 at 10:10 am
“imo, braswell would be better as a 43 end vs an OLB where he has to sink and drop into coverage…”
They’d be doing the same exact thing they’re doing now lol
It truly makes no difference in the NFL of 2020’s
League average for nickel formation usage, remember average is 60%
Gotta step back into the light 813
January 29th, 2026 at 10:16 am
We already have a drunk uncle as a consultant
January 29th, 2026 at 10:30 am
SM made the smart move. He is going to wait out a season for the next round of HC hiring and let the franchises get into a bidding war for him. Bowles gets one chance to turn it around or he is done. I don’t see it happening with the state of his coaching staff and the players on the team. With coaches like Tomlin, McDermott, etc. available after next season, the Glazers are going to wait this out and hire one of them for sure. Don’t be shocked if JL doesn’t go crazy in FA and bring a bunch of guys in for next season. This is going to be a down year, especially when ME13 and LVD don’t come back. Expect some other big names to be released to make cap room for the next coaching regime.
January 29th, 2026 at 10:38 am
This makes no sense. McDermott would never entertain coming to the Bucs in an undisclosed capacity. Seems like utter nonsense.
January 29th, 2026 at 10:40 am
“Logan Hall is a free agent (the team has a different opinion on Hall than most fans do).”
@Joes
Does this mean they want to retain Logan Hall???
I mean it would be right in line with their decision to retain Bowles.
Why change course when the familiar path to nowhere exists?
3rd and 28
January 29th, 2026 at 11:06 am
I swear they should be named the bipolar Bucs.
January 29th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Is Bowles going to insist on the Bucs edge rushers covering TE’s, RB’s and occasionally WR’s? It is a tricky strategy.
January 29th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Bucs would be more receptive than fans. Haven’t heard recently what team thinks of Logan Hall but the Bucs had a high(er) opinion than fans. Hall is basically a run stuffer (think Will Gholston).
January 29th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
What I do not get is the lack of effort to fill the defensive coaching positions that were fired.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
They’d be doing the same exact thing they’re doing now lol
It truly makes no difference in the NFL of 2020’s
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IDK about that lol…
under the bills, i didnt see joey bosa or greg rousseau dropping into coverage hardly ever and ive watched plenty of bills games since my barber is from buffalo and is a huge bills fan…we talk bucs and bills all day in the shop lol
GO BUCS!!!!